On the Oct. 18 episode of Radio Law Talk, host and renowned California personal injury attorney Frederick W. Penney of Penney & Associates, and his co-hosts, took listeners on a legal roller coaster—from a grandmother’s murder-for-hire conviction and billion-dollar sandwich lawsuit to a shocking claim of jury intimidation in the Harvey Weinstein case. Along the way came a deadly boating crash, a massive Wells Fargo privacy payout, and a congressional campaign that borrowed a bit too much from Campbell’s Soup.
If you missed it, here’s what had the Radio Law Talk team—and their audience—talking.
Family Ties and a Life Sentence: The Donna Adelson Case
Eleven years after Florida State law professor Dan Markel was shot to death outside his home, the plot that prosecutors say began with a bitter custody battle has reached its final chapter. Markel’s former mother-in-law, Donna Adelson, was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation, accused of financing the hit that claimed his life.
As Fred Penney put it, the case “is a tragedy multiplied through generations”—a father murdered, a grandmother convicted, and two children left to grow up amid the wreckage. Arrested while boarding a one-way flight to a non-extradition country, Adelson denied involvement even at sentencing. The judge cut her off for re-arguing the case, but at 75, Penney noted, “a life term makes leniency irrelevant.”
Smucker’s vs. Trader Joe’s: A Billion-Dollar Sandwich Battle
From courtroom drama to grocery-store rivalry, the panel turned to the lawsuit Smucker’s filed against Trader Joe’s for allegedly copying its famous Uncrustables sandwiches. The Trader Joe’s Crustless Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam Sandwich looks “like a clone” —round, sealed, and crimped along the edges just like the original.
Smucker’s, which sells 1.5 billion Uncrustables each year, accuses Trader Joe’s of trademark infringement and deceptive trade practices in a case filed in Ohio federal court. “You can’t just steal people’s ideas,” Penney stated, calling it a classic example of how even lunchbox staples can carry serious intellectual-property weight.
Campbell’s Soup vs. the Congressional Candidate
Next up, a political twist on trademark law: Campbell Soup Company is suing Michigan candidate Shelby Nicole Campbell for using a Campbell’s-style can logo in her campaign branding—complete with the slogan “Soup for Change.”
The design, nearly identical to the brand’s iconic red-and-white label, prompted a false-endorsement claim. While the candidate insists it’s parody and refuses to back down, Penney sided with the company: “You can’t borrow a trademark just because it’s famous.” The controversy, he added, is as much a publicity play as a legal defense.
Boating Tragedy in Alabama: Georgia Man Indicted
Hour two opened with a devastating story from the world of competitive fishing. During a Major League Fishing tournament in Alabama, 22-year-old Flint Andrew Davis of Georgia allegedly slammed his bass boat into another vessel at nearly 70 miles per hour, killing three people and injuring others.
Davis now faces three counts of reckless manslaughter, two counts of first-degree assault, and several misdemeanors. Though defense lawyers blame sun glare, Penney was unconvinced: “It’s hard to imagine how you miss another boat at that speed.” He predicted extensive civil litigation against the tournament organizers and sponsors, noting that the defendant likely lacks the assets to satisfy future claims.
Wells Fargo Settles $19.5 Million Call-Recording Case
Penney next highlighted a California class-action settlement with Wells Fargo, which agreed to pay $19.5 million after telemarketing partners were caught recording calls without consent—a direct violation of the state’s two-party-consent law.
Eligible consumers who received sales or service calls between 2014 and 2023 could receive up to $5,000 each. Penney used the case as a reminder that privacy still matters: “If I’m on the phone, I always say, ‘I will not be recorded.’” The payout, he said, is another signal to corporations that “compliance isn’t optional.”
Weinstein Verdict Under Fire: Jurors Claim a ‘Hostile’ Deliberation Room
Jurors from Weinstein’s 2020 New York trial have submitted affidavits describing a hostile deliberation environment, claiming that holdouts for acquittal were yelled at, threatened, and pressured to change their votes. One juror reportedly said they were told, “We have to get rid of you.”
Penney didn’t mince words about the implications. “I think it should be a new trial,” he said. While careful to avoid defending Weinstein’s conduct, he underscored that jury intimidation—if proven—undermines the integrity of the entire process.
Final Thoughts
From criminal courts to corporate boardrooms, the Oct. 18 edition of Radio Law Talk showed how law touches every corner of life—family conflicts, food trademarks, consumer rights, and the foundations of justice itself. With the panel’s mix of humor, realism, and courtroom insight, Fred Penney’s Radio Law Talk continues to turn the week’s biggest legal stories into compelling lessons for everyday listeners.
Need Legal Help? Contact Penney & Associates
If you or a loved one has been injured or affected by a serious accident, contact Penney & Associates Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. With decades of trial experience and offices across California, Fred Penney and his team stand ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
For more legal insights and case analysis, tune in to Radio Law Talk every Saturday or visit radiolawtalk.com.
